101 Pep Up Games for Children

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101 Pep-Up Games for Children

It is energy—the central element
of which is will—that produces
the miracle that is enthusiasm in
all ages. Everywhere it is what is
called force of character and the
sustaining power of all great action.

— Samuel Smiles

Books from Hunter House

101 Music Games for Children by Jerry Storms
101 More Music Games for Children by Jerry Storms
101 Dance Games for Children by Paul Rooyackers
101 More Dance Games for Children by Paul Rooyackers
101 Drama Games for Children by Paul Rooyackers
101 More Drama Games for Children by Paul Rooyackers
101 Movement Games for Children by Huberta Wiertsema
101 Language Games for Children by Paul Rooyackers
101 Improv Games for Children and Adults by Bob Bedore
Yoga Games for Children by Danielle Bersma and Marjoke Visscher
The Yoga Adventure for Children by Helen Purperhart
101 Life Skills Games for Children by Bernie Badegruber

101 Family Vacation Games by Shando Varda
101 More Life Skills Games for Children by Bernie Badegruber

101 Cool Pool Games for Children by Kim Rodomista
404 Deskside Activities for Energetic Kids by Barbara Davis, MS, MFA

101 Relaxation Games for Children by Allison Bartl
101 Quick-Thinking Games + Riddles for Children by Allison Bartl

101 Pep-Up Games for Children by Allison Bartl
The Yoga Zoo Adventure by Helen Purperhart

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101

Pep-Up Games
for Children

Refreshing, Recharging, Refocusing

Allison Bartl

Illustrations by Klaus Puth

A Hunter House Book

Copyright © Cornelsen Verlag Scriptor GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin 2004
Translation © 2008 Hunter House Publishers

First published in Germany in 2004 by Cornelsen as
Muntermacher-Spiele für Grundschulkinder

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and
recording, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system without the
written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher of this book. Brief quotations
may be used in reviews prepared for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or for broadcast.

For further information please contact:

Hunter House Inc., Publishers
PO Box 2914

Alameda CA 94501-0914

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bartl, Almuth.

[Muntermacher-Spiele für Grundschulkinder. English]

101 pep-up games for children : refreshing, recharging, refocusing / Allison Bartl.

p. cm. — (SmartFun activity books)

Translation of: Muntermacher-Spiele für Grundschulkinder.

ISBN-13: 978-0-89793-495-4 (pbk.)

ISBN-10: 0-89793-495-4 (pbk.)

ISBN-13: 978-0-89793-496-1 (spiral bound)

ISBN-10: 0-89793-496-2 (spiral bound)

1. Games. 2. School children—Recreation.  I. Title.  II. Title: One hundred one pep-up

games for children.  III. Title: One hundred and one pep-up games for children.

GV1203.B36 2007

790.1'922—dc22 2007025187

Project Credits

Cover Design: Jil Weil & Stefanie Gold Senior Marketing Associate: Reina Santana
Illustrations: Klaus Puth Publicity Assistant: Alexi Ueltzen

Book Production: John McKercher Rights Coordinator: Candace Groskreutz
Translator: Emily Banwell Order Fulfillment: Washul Lakdhon

Copy Editor: Kelley Blewster Customer Service Manager:
Proofreader: Herman Leung   Christina Sverdrup
Acquisitions Editor: Jeanne Brondino Administrator: Theresa Nelson
Editor: Alexandra Mummery Computer Support: Peter Eichelberger

Publisher: Kiran S. Rana

Printed and Bound by Bang Printing, Brainerd, Minnesota

Manufactured in the United States of America

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1     First Edition     08 09 10 11 12

Contents

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Helpful Ways to Change the Pace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Key to the Icons Used in the Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Games. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Alphabetical List of Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Games with Special Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Games Requiring Props
Games in Which Physical Contact Might Be Involved
Games Requiring a Large Space
Games Requiring Going Outdoors
Games Requiring Musical Accompaniment

A detailed list of the games indicating appropriate group sizes
begins on the next page.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children v

List of Games

Page Game

Whole group
Any size group
Small groups
Pairs

Page Game

4 All Right! c

5 Backward Theater c

6 Wind-Up Mice c

7 Counting Fingers c

8 Fresh-Air Shower c

9 Dance School c

10 Thumbless c

11 Wind Power c

12 Song Circle c

13 The Seat of Transformation c

14 The Nonsense Game c

15 Waves of Silliness c

16 Auntie Bertha’s Stroll c

17 Red and Black c

18 Dancing Feet c

19 Quick Trip to Kalamazoo c

20 Herd of Elephants c

21 Rhinos c

22 Silly Time c

23 Indoor Snowball Fight c

24 I Like Me! c

25 Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe c

26 Peanut Hunt c

27 The Serious Laughing Game c

28 Polar Bear Chase c

vi 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

Whole group
Any size group
Small groups
Pairs

Page Game

29 Fast Forward c

30 See-Saw c

31 Dancing on Paper c

32 Neighbors c

33 Musical Confusion c

34 Chain Reaction c

35 The Sick Ballet Troupe c

36 Paper Race c

37 Coin Collection c

38 The Giggle Box c

39 Mirror Image c

40 Ball Tag c

41 Kid Sandwich c

42 Once More with Feeling c

43 Seat Protectors c

44 Hand Sandwich c

45 New Seating Arrangement c

46 Mouth Harps c

47 Think Good Thoughts c

49 Good Posture c

50 Upstairs, Downstairs c

51 Foot Circles c

52 Today Is My Favorite Day c

54 Silly Clapping c

55 Alphabet Circles c

56 Guided Treasure Hunt c

57 Lion Hunt c

59 Thumb Wrestling c

60 Forward, Backward, Forward Again c

61 Secret Code c

62 One-Legged Tag c

101 Pep-Up Games for Children vii

Whole group
Any size group
Small groups
Pairs

Page Game

63 (Don’t) Follow the Leader c

64 Giggly George and Giggly Georgia c

65 Animal Guessing Game c

66 Hula Hoop c

67 Night Watchman c

68 Vowel Race c

69 Speed-Reading Competition c

71 Rhyming Proverbs c

72 Word Ball c

73 Careful Listening c

74 Knife, Fork, Scissors, Light c

76 Partner Search c

77 Multiball c

79 Lucky Sixes c

80 Body Instruments c

81 Math Gymnastics c

82 A, E, I, O, U c

84 Classroom Ping-Pong c

85 Song Variations c

86 Playing Detective c

87 Class Clown c

88 Portable Pick-Me-Ups c

89 Hidden Treasure c

90 The Black List c

91 Countdown c

92 Quick-Break Exercises c

93 Alarm! c

94 Memory Lane c

95 Creepy Wilbur c

96 Sentence Scramble c

97 Alphabet Chair Grab c

viii 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

Whole group
Any size group
Small groups
Pairs

Page Game

98 Mythical Creatures c
99
100 Band-Aid Ball c
101
102 Zoology c
103
104 Rhyming Couplets c
105
106 Name Bingo c
107
108 The Good Fairy c
109
110 Fitness Race c
111
Helicopter Fleet c

Whistling Footrace c

I Feel Bright Yellow Today c

Row Your Boat c

Syllable Shuffle c

Anticipation Calendar c

Calculation Ball c

101 Pep-Up Games for Children ix

Preface

Okay, dear teachers and group leaders, the sky is overcast and the children are
starting to rub their eyes and yawn. Twenty-eight pairs of bored and tired, but
expectant, eyes are directed at you. If you want to keep the children from wan-
dering off on their individual mental journeys, it’s time to flip through this book.
Pick out a couple of lightning flashes and magically change the room’s preva-
lent gray back into sunshine.

In this book you will find all kinds of energizing ideas—fun activity games,
for example, to jump-start circulation. Pent-up energy is the most common
cause of irritability, listlessness, aggression, regression, and general bad moods
in children.

Using no materials at all, or with everyday objects from the junk drawer, the
children can happily dive into these games, helped along by their natural curi-
osity, excitement, and creativity. Variety is important for them, and these games
engage all the senses and ranges of motion in various social combinations.

If the teacher or group leader takes active part every so often it has a posi-
tive effect not just on him, but also on the overall atmosphere. Playing together
bonds the group, strengthens the “us” feeling, and enlivens tired children. A re­
newed sense of energy and improved general atmosphere will make it easier for
children to follow and concentrate on their lessons for a longer period of time.
They will be encouraged to take an active part in school/camp/group life, which
will improve both their productivity and their social interactions. In the long
run, they will have more fun in these types of situations.

Each of the games included in this book takes only a few minutes and can
be used anytime—in class or during breaks or other free time.

There’s no room here for curmudgeons and cranks; it’s time to play, laugh,
and get moving.

For easy reading we have alternated use of the male and female pronouns. Of
course, every “he” also includes “she,” and vice versa.

x 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

Introduction

In this book you will find lively games and practical tips that you can use with
elementary-age children anytime as pick-me-ups to counter tiredness or bad
moods.

The level of the games’ difficulty gradually increases over the course of the
book. With a few exceptions, the games at the beginning are easy enough for
first-graders, while the ones at the end are more appropriate for nine- or ten-
year-olds. However, almost all the games can easily be modified for different
ages. The games are listed in alphabetical order at the end of the book.

Helpful Ways to Change the Pace

The best way to prevent tiredness and to keep energy reserves filled is to have
plenty of variety in your lessons. Here are some pointers:

• When preparing your lesson, remember to use as many different
group-size formations as possible: whole group, small groups, pairs,
and individuals.

• Switch off teaching and learning materials, even if it takes time. At
the end of the day, it will be worth it if the children are still paying
­attention.

• Use different seating arrangements; try to sit in a circle more often,
and occasionally move the class outside.

• Invite “guest teachers” to come talk to the class (e.g., parents, grand-
parents, police officers, the mayor, or any other specialists whose ex-
pertise may be useful).

• Create surprises and moments of amazement for the children.
• Never overstuff the children, but instead make them hungry for new

knowledge.

Key to the Icons Used in the Games

To help you find activities suitable for a particular situation, each one is coded
with symbols or icons that tell you some things about it at a glance:

• The size of the group needed
• If props are required
• If music is required

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 1

• If a large space is needed
• If physical contact is or might be involved
• If the activity involves going outdoors
These are explained in more detail below.
The size of the group needed.  Most of the games can be played by the whole
group, but a few require pairs or small groups, and some can be done individu-
ally. All games are marked with one of the following icons:

  =  The whole group plays together

  =  The children play individually, so any size group can play

  =  The children play in small groups of three or more

  =  The children play in pairs

If props are required.  Many of the games require no special props. In some
cases, though, items such as paper and pens, blindfolds, or other materials are
integral to running or playing a game. Games requiring props are flagged with
the icon below, and the necessary materials are listed under the Props heading.

  =  Props needed

If a large space is needed.  A large space is required for a few of the games (for
example, when the whole group is required to form a circle or to walk around
the room). These are marked with the following icon:

  =  May require a larger space

If music is required.  Only a few games in this book require recorded music.
They are flagged with the icon below, and any indications on the type of music
are listed under the Music heading.

  =  Music required

2 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

If physical contact is or might be involved.  Although a certain amount of
body contact might be acceptable in certain environments, the following icon
has been inserted at the top of any exercises that might involve anywhere from
a small amount of contact to minor collisions. You can figure out in advance if
the game is suitable for your participants and/or environment.

  =  Physical contact likely
If the activity involves going outdoors.  A few games require going outdoors.
These are marked with the following icon:

  =  Involves going outdoors

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 3

1

All Right!

How to Play:  Listless, tired, sad, low on energy? Not for long, because now
we’re going to play All Right! The leader picks one child to call out some instruc-
tions; for example, “Let’s stand on our chairs!” In response, the others immedi-
ately cry out, “All right!” and follow the suggestion. After that it might be, “Let’s
throw our pencil cases up in the air,” or, “Let’s shake our neighbors’ hands.” Each
time, all the children yell, “All right!” before following the instructions. After
the third time, the person shouting out the instructions chooses a new child to
call out instructions by saying, “Now Mariah is going to tell us what to do,” and
again, the children delightedly cry out, “All right!”

4 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

2

Backward Theater

How to Play:  For this funny theater performance, one “actor” sits on the
“stage” (a table, for example) and pretends to be a depressed person. The actor
spends three minutes looking silently and seriously at the audience. Meanwhile,
the audience members do everything they can to get the actor to laugh, or at
least to smile, without touching the actor (so, no tickling). They make faces, tell
jokes, and clown around.

Can they get the actor to grin before the three minutes are up? If he grins or
the time runs out, the actor chooses a replacement to play in the next round.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 5

3

Wind-Up Mice

How to Play:  The adult leader uses a magic word to change the children into
wind-up mice. At the leader’s signal, the squeaking mice flit to and fro through
the room, gradually moving more and more slowly. As their wind-up mecha-
nisms grind to a halt, they barely make it back to their seats, let themselves fall
into their chairs, and come to a complete standstill. Some mice may even run
out of power before they get to their desks. These mice are frozen in the middle
of the room, and the leader has to give their cranks one more turn to help them
reach their seats. As a variation, the children can be divided into two groups
that take turns being mice, since watching is fun, too!

6 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

4

Counting Fingers

How to Play:  This simple game is a hit with younger children. The leader
starts clumsily, but very seriously and industriously, counting a child’s fingers.
One of the fingers could always have gone missing, you know. Unfortunately,
the count reveals only nine fingers. Dismay shows on the leader’s face, and he
immediately does a recount. Now there are eleven! Oh no, what’s going on? He
counts again and again, while the child is thoroughly entertained, until finally
arriving at the right number. Thank goodness!

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 7

5

Fresh-Air Shower

How to Play:  The children stand at the wide-open windows and stretch out
their muscles; they breathe deeply, audibly taking in the cool, fresh air. After
three minutes in the fresh-air shower, everyone sits back down, refreshed and
full of energy. The leader can ask children to share with the group how the
fresh-air shower made them feel.

Pick-Me-Up Tip:  Light is an important energy source, and it’s good for
fighting low spirits. Let light into the room by opening the curtains and blinds
as far as possible and by removing large objects from the windowsill that rob
the room of light. In addition, you may be able to replace the existing light bulbs
with brighter ones, and also add extra light sources. Sometimes just dusting off
the existing light bulbs or lamps helps bring in more light.

8 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

6

Dance School

Music:  Suitable for dancing
How to Play:  The children all stand next to their chairs and start dancing to
some cool music. Suddenly the adult leader calls out a name, and that child gets
to be the dance instructor. As the new instructor grooves, gyrates, and gets down
to the music, all the students turn to face her and imitate what she’s doing. But
before they know it, the leader is calling out the next name, and all the students
start to copy the new instructor’s way of interpreting the music—swinging their
hips, maybe, or reaching their arms into the air. At least five dance instructors
get a chance to lead the group before the song ends and it’s time to sit down.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 9

7

Thumbless

How to Play:  Who can be the first to put on a jacket, take off their shoes,
tie their shoelaces, or stick a book into a backpack without using any thumbs?
Whoever thinks this sounds easy should get right to work! It’s best if children
work in pairs. One tries to perform the task chosen by the leader, and the other
watches to make sure there’s no cheating.

Johnny: “Teacher, would you punish me
for ­something I didn’t do?”
Teacher: “Of course not, Johnny.”
Johnny: “Good, because I didn’t do my
homework.”

10 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

8

Wind Power

How to Play:  Are the children tired and listless? Maybe they need extra
wind power! Following the leader’s example, everyone stands up, stretching
one arm up and the other down. Then the leader and the children all blow and
blow until their arms start to move—like a windmill at first (arms move in a
circle), then like a big bird (imitate wings flapping). Once they really get going,
the leader can have the children move their arms like a helicopter propeller
(hold the arms overhead and circle the forearms around each other). Try each
of these three moves a few times.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 11

9

Song Circle

Prop:  A ball
How to Play:  Everyone sits in a circle. One child has the ball and starts sing-
ing a familiar song. Suddenly, he throws the ball to another player and imme-
diately stops singing. Each catcher takes up the song wherever the last child
stopped. If they don’t know the words, they have to say so and then start sing-
ing a new song. When the song is over, whoever is holding the ball gets to start
a new song. The faster the ball is thrown, the more fun the game is.

Variation:  To make this game more competitive, change the rules so that if a
child is thrown the ball and doesn’t know the next words, they are out and have
to leave the circle. The game is then played repeatedly until only one player—
the winner—remains. To make sure no obscure songs are intentionally chosen
to get people out easily, consider making a list of allowable songs from which
the children can choose.

12 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

10

The Seat of
Transformation

Props:  Chairs for everyone
How to Play:  The children arrange their chairs in a circle, with one chair in
the middle. As the music plays, they run around the outside of the circle. When
the music stops, everyone looks for a seat. The seat in the middle is a special
one—the child who manages to sit there gets to transform her companions, who
have to act accordingly. They could be changed into babies, apes, trees whose
branches move gently in the wind, horrifying monsters, or pillars of salt. Then
the music starts up again, the spell is broken, and the children run around the
outside of the circle again.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 13

11

The Nonsense Game

How to Play:  The adult leader thinks up a nonsense combination of words;
for example, “A bicycle tire filled with lukewarm chocolate pudding.” Then he
asks the whole group questions that must be answered with this phrase, while
they keep straight faces.

Question: What do you want for Christmas?
Answer: A bicycle tire filled with lukewarm chocolate pudding.
Question: What did you have for breakfast?
Answer: A bicycle tire filled with lukewarm chocolate pudding.
Question: What do you put in your backpack every morning?
Answer: A bicycle tire filled with lukewarm chocolate pudding.

The questions and answers continue until one of the children gives in and
breaks out laughing. Either the game can end here, or else that child is out and
the game continues until there is a winner, the one who keeps a straight face
the longest.

14 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

12

Waves of Silliness

How to Play:  All the children stand in a circle. The leader chooses one to
start a wave of silliness; for example, by wiggling her whole body. Her left-hand
neighbor imitates her, as does the next person, and so on until the wiggly wave
comes back to the person who started it. Now it’s the child on her right’s turn to
come up with some kind of silly motion. The faster the wave moves, the funnier
the whole thing gets. The game continues until everyone is laughing, energized,
and ready for the next activity.

Pick-Me-Up Tip:  Have especially lethargic children wash their hands thor-
oughly in cold water.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 15

13

Auntie Bertha’s Stroll

How to Play:  The adult leader begins by saying: “Auntie Bertha is walking
through the park.”

In unison, the children ask: “How is she walking through the park?”
The leader responds, “Auntie Bertha always walks like this,” and demon-
strates how Auntie Bertha shuffles, or hops, or waddles, or skips. The children
all imitate the walk.

But the leader has already spotted another relative, and calls out, “Uncle
Herbert is walking though the park,” and the game starts over. Once the chil-
dren understand how the game works, they can take turns leading it.
Tip:  This game is also good for vocabulary practice. Try using several different
movement words, like “amble,” “shuffle,” “saunter,” “stride,” etc., or different
adverbs, like “cautiously,” “stealthily,” “anxiously,” “sullenly,” etc.

16 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

14

Red and Black

Props:  A deck of cards for each group
How to Play:  This competitive game fires up ambitions; the children dis-
cover new strengths and release some energy. Afterward, everyone is refreshed
and ready to get back to learning.

Divide the players into small groups and have each group decide on an
order they will follow in the game. Each group plays by itself. A standard deck
of cards is spread out on each group’s table, face down. The children take turns
uncovering one card at a time. If the card the child turns over is a red card,
the child keeps it; if it’s black, she turns it back over. This game is played very
quickly, and children try to keep track of which black cards have already been
flipped over. Whoever ends up with the most red cards is the winner.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 17

15

Dancing Feet

Music:  Rhythmic
How to Play:  The children sit up straight in their chairs and put their shoe-
less feet in a row on the floor (rearrange chairs if necessary, or have the chil-
dren turn sideways in their chairs so their feet are all in a row in the aisle). In
time with the music, they lift their heels as far as possible while keeping their
toes on the ground. They do this eight times, and then it’s the toes’ turn. They
point up as high as they can go while the heels stay on the ground. The leader
gives the instructions for each action. This foot dance works best when done in
time with the music. Afterward, the feet are gently shaken out.

Pick-Me-Up Tip:  Put a few drops of peppermint oil into a scent lamp with a
little bit of hot water. Light a tea candle underneath and be amazed at the posi-
tive effect it has on tired children.

18 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

16

Quick Trip to
Kalamazoo

How to Play:  The children all stand next to their seats. The leader loudly
calls out, “One-way ticket to Kalamazoo, and step on it!” Right away the chil-
dren start running in place. They go faster and faster until they hear the next
command: “And now back!” at which point they all turn around and run “back”
(while in place) as fast as they can.

Whew! Pretty hard work, but it’s gotten the circulation going. Naturally, a
child can give the commands instead of the leader.
Tip:  In warm weather children can lie on their backs in the grass, pedal their
legs in the air, and take a bike ride to Kalamazoo.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 19

17

Herd of Elephants

How to Play:  As long as your room is on the ground floor, you can briefly
transform the children into a herd of elephants—and yourself, too! As the
leader, you determine the speed at which the herd travels. At first, the herd is
far away, and a faint rumble can be heard. Then it comes closer. The stamping of
elephant feet grows louder and louder, and the herd seems to be moving faster
and faster. Now it’s very close, and in addition to the stamping you can hear the
elephants loudly trumpeting. But finally the herd has passed; the trumpeting
stops and the stomping grows quieter and quieter until there’s no noise at all.

20 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

18

Rhinos

How to Play:  Out on the playground, the leader can easily transform grumpy
or tired children into a herd of rhinos. The children all lean forward, sling one
hand across their backs, and hold their noses with the other.

The rhinos stomp around the yard as hard as they can—around trees and
bushes, between the fence and the doorstep—and after a few minutes they
come back to their starting point. They can only come back when they have
turned back into good boys and girls. An important note for each rhinoceros:
You are traveling alone and are not allowed to touch your herd-mates. You can
make noises if you want, but don’t let go of your nose!

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 21

19

Silly Time

How to Play:  Laughter is a ready source of energy. Some occasional silliness
makes an ordinary day cheerful and keeps the children in good humor. The sug-
gestions below are for things you can do, but you can also use some of them as
games the children can play.
Examples

• Call the children “Mr.” and “Ms.” Younger children particularly en­
joy this.

• When speaking, replace all your vowels with “o.”
• Mix up the “latters of the elphabet” when speaking.
• Walk through the room like a robot.
• Give the children “silly cookies.” Silly cookies are regular butter cook-

ies with funny faces drawn on them in icing (available in tubes at the
supermarket).
• Tell a funny story from your life.
• If you know how to juggle, demonstrate.
• Have a child tell a joke, or tell one yourself (you can find several scat-
tered throughout this book).

22 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

20

Indoor Snowball Fight

Props:  A lot of old newspapers
How to Play:  In the absence of snow, children can ball up pieces of old news-
paper. Once each child has a supply of at least ten balls, the fight begins. After
three minutes, the fight is over; the children collect the balls and put them in
the recycling bin.

Pick-Me-Up Tip:  A smile is enchanting and enlivening, and it can create a
good atmosphere. Be conscious of this, and try to smile more often. You will be
surprised by how quickly your smile is returned to you. Try signing your next
homework corrections with a smiley face instead of your initials.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 23

21

I Like Me!

How to Play:  The adult leader says, “It’s a good thing we have such long
arms! We will now wrap our arms around ourselves and squeeze tight, giving
ourselves a big hug. Then we vigorously shake out our arms and shout out one
thing we like about ourselves.”
Variation:  The children can do it again and shout out something they like
about the person on their left and right, or anyone else they name.

Pick-Me-Up Tip:  Bananas are an excellent source of energy and children
usually like eating them. If you hand out bananas as rewards for various achieve-
ments, the fruit will be even more popular.

• With the skin still on, cut bananas in half lengthwise. Each child then
gently scoops out the fruit with a spoon.

• Frozen bananas, cut into slices, provide energy and are refreshing. The
children can suck on the icy disks as though they were candy.

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22

Eeny, Meeny,
Miny, Moe

How to Play:  The children stand at their places. As soon as the game begins,
the children rub their stomachs with one hand and pat their heads with the
other. At the same time, they all repeat the phrase, “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe,
my shoe is pressing on my toe.” Whoever laughs or loses track of the rhythm
is out and has to sit down. The game continues until only one player, the win-
ner, remains.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 25

23

Peanut Hunt

Props:  A large number of peanuts with the shells intact
Preparation:  Before the children arrive, the leader hides a large number of
peanuts on top of the cabinets, behind the curtains, in the sink, and wherever
else that’s hidden but safe to get to.
How to Play:  As soon as the children start to show the first signs of tired-
ness, they are challenged to a peanut treasure hunt. They all swarm through
the room and look for the little bundles of nutrition. However, children should
wait until as many nuts as possible have been collected, then wait for the lead-
er’s permission to shell and eat them (so as to minimize the mess).

Tip:  Set aside an extra handful of nuts for children who don’t manage to find
any.
Note:  Many schools have policies against bringing peanuts in if they have a
student with a known peanut allergy. You may want to check with your school
or organization about this ahead of time.

26 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

24

The Serious
Laughing Game

How to Play:  The children stand at their places. The leader loudly says,
“Ha!” and points at one of the children. Deadly serious, the child answers, “Ha,
ha!” and points at a second child of their choosing. Also remaining serious, this
child says, “Ha, ha, ha!” and points to the next child, who says “Ha!” four times
while keeping serious, and so on. Whoever laughs or says “Ha!” too many or too
few times is out and must sit down. The next child in line starts over with one
“Ha!” Whoever is left standing at the end has won.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 27

25

Polar Bear Chase

How to Play:  For this game, the leader chooses one child to be a polar bear
and another to be an Eskimo who’s being chased. All the other children form
groups of four to five players, and in each of these groups, all but one player,
who is chosen by the leader, forms an igloo by joining hands. The last player in
each group becomes an Eskimo, who stands inside the igloo. (Any extra chil-
dren can divide up among the groups, making larger igloos.)

The polar bear chases the free Eskimo around the igloos and tries to catch
her. If the chase gets too risky for the Eskimo, the child can hide in the nearest
igloo and be safe from the wild polar bear. If she does this, the Eskimo who was
living in that igloo has to leave the safety of the igloo and try to avoid being
caught by the polar bear. If the Eskimo is caught, the Eskimo turns into the polar
bear for the next round of the game and also gets to choose a new Eskimo.

28 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

26

Fast Forward

How to Play:  When the adult leader calls out, “Fast forward,” the children
immediately transform into energy-filled kids. They run through the room like
Charlie Chaplin and clean up their things as fast as they can. If they talk at all,
they talk super-fast; they laugh faster, read faster, and do everything they’re
supposed to do at a very high speed. The epidemic is over only when the leader
(who has, of course, also been infected with fast-forward fever) gives the sign;
everyone then calms back down and slowly takes a seat.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 29

27

See-Saw

How to Play:  The children pair up. They stand back to back and link elbows.
Then they take turns bending forward, which allows them to pick the other
child up from behind.

Pick-Me-Up Tip:  Tired, sad, lethargic, and listless? Chin up! Hold your back
straight and your chest out, and take deep breaths into your belly. Even if it
sounds like what your parents always told you to do, it’s the quickest pick-me-
up I know. Pay attention to the children’s posture! Many times, just lifting up
their heads helps them feel better because it makes them feel stronger and more
self-confident.

30 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

28

Dancing on Paper

Music:  Lively
How to Play:  Things that initially seem strange to adults are often fun for
younger children right away. To start, the children stand at their places and
move their upper bodies, especially their arms, shoulders, and heads, freely to
the music. Then each takes a pen and transfers the movements onto a piece of
paper lying on the table. This should not be a drawing! The lines and circles
should look more like traces left behind by ice skaters. After a couple of min-
utes, everyone stops drawing.

If they wish, the children can take the drawings home and color in all the
different areas they have created. This makes some interesting mosaic pictures
that would surely be worth hanging up in your room.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 31

29

Neighbors

Prop:  A ball
How to Play:  The children make a circle. One child stands in the circle,
holding a ball. Suddenly he calls out the name of one of the other players and
throws the ball high into the air. The person whose name is called calmly re-
mains where she is, but the two people to either side of her react immediately
and try to catch the ball. Whoever succeeds gets to stay in the middle and call
out the next name. If no one catches the ball in time, the same player goes again.
The faster the game is played, the more exciting it is.

32 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

30

Musical Confusion

How to Play:  One child, designated as the guesser, is sent out of the room.
The rest of the children think up a three-syllable word, for example, “kanga-
roo.” Then the children are divided into three groups. As soon as the guesser
comes back into the room, the leader gives the sign and all the children start
singing to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot,” but instead of singing the actual lyr-
ics to the song, they replace each beat with one of the syllables from the chosen
word, in the same rhythm and to the tune of the song. The children in group
one sing only the first syllable of the chosen word, in this case, “Kan, kan, kan,
kan, kan, kan,” etc. Group two sings only “ga” over and over, and group three
sings only “roo.”

In practice, this is just as chaotic as it sounds on paper, but it’s a lot of fun.
The guesser can stop the “singing” at any time by raising his hand and guess-
ing the three-syllable word. If he’s right, he can choose the next guesser. If not,
the children keep singing.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 33

31

Chain Reaction

How to Play:  The children form small groups, and each group stands in
a circle, facing the center. The leader then points to one child in each group,
who then begins the game by making a random motion; for example, turning
her head from left to right. The player on her right repeats the first motion and
then adds a new one; for example, snapping his fingers. The player on his right,
player number three, turns her head, then snaps her fingers, then wiggles her
elbows, in order.

The game continues until a player finally forgets one of the motions or
mixes up the order in which they occur. That player drops out of the game, and
the others continue until one winner emerges. The winners of each group then
come together for a final match, or the children can be regrouped so each gets
another chance to become a winner.
Pick-Me-Up Tip:  Sunlight is the ideal source of energy. If the opportunity
presents itself, take the children out in the sunshine for a couple of minutes.

34 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

32

The Sick Ballet Troupe

Music:  Classical, suitable for dancing
How to Play:  Except for one member, the whole ballet troupe has gotten
sick. But a performance is scheduled, and there’s no way it can be cancelled.
So ten children, chosen by the leader, are named to be replacement dancers.
They immediately take the “stage” in front of the other children. As soon as the
music starts, the “healthy” ballet dancer begins dancing, and the new dancers
must all imitate his movements. Of course, this needs to be done quickly, and
the movements should be as coordinated as possible so the audience won’t no-
tice the substitution.

After a couple of minutes the first group sits down and becomes the audi-
ence, and the leader chooses a new healthy dancer and a new group of replace-
ment troupe members to have a turn. This game is fun for dancers and audi-
ence members alike!

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 35

33

Paper Race

Props:  A sheet of paper for each child
How to Play:  All the children stand next to each other at the starting line
on the playground. Each child receives a sheet of paper, which she should hold
against her stomach or chest, and waits for the starting signal. Then they all
take off; by the third step, at the latest, they should all lift their arms above
their heads. The “airstream” will cause the sheets of paper to stick to their bod-
ies. The first person to cross the finish line without losing the piece of paper is
the winner.

Note:  If a player loses the sheet of paper by running too slowly, he must go
back to the beginning and start over.

36 101 Pep-Up Games for Children

34

Coin Collection

Props:  Five coins
How to Play:  The leader walks through the room and hands out five coins,
one each to any five children. The recipients immediately hide the coins some-
where on their bodies—in a pocket, fist, or any other hiding place that presents
itself. Then all the children stand up and wander around the room, singing a
well-known song of the leader’s choosing. One child is assigned to collect all
the coins but must do so in the order in which they were handed out. The ob-
ject of the game is to remember who has the coins, to approach those children
in the order in which the coins were handed out, and to guess where the coins
might be hidden.

The collector has to be speedy—the collection time is over as soon as the
song ends. This game challenges concentration and memory, and makes the
child who manages to complete the task feel very successful.
Variation:  To make this game more competitive, each collector can be timed
by the leader. If a collector asks a person without a coin, asks someone out of
order, or guesses the wrong hiding place, they are out and it’s someone else’s
turn. The player who gets everything right the fastest, wins.

101 Pep-Up Games for Children 37

35

The Giggle Box

Prop:  A cardboard box, perhaps covered on the outside with the Sunday com-
ics page
How to Play:  Every classroom should have a giggle box. From the outside,
it looks like an ordinary cardboard box, but the contents are truly unusual. The
box contains funny newspaper articles, jokes, riddles, funny pictures, etc. Each
child contributes something. Whenever a child is in need of cheering up, she
gets to rummage through the box and pick something out. The item can either
be enjoyed alone or shared with the rest of the group. If she chooses to, she can
tell the group why this item makes her feel better.

38 101 Pep-Up Games for Children